By 2002, Red Hot Chili Peppers were already one of the biggest names in mainstream rock. They had recently been met with a new-found popularity thanks to 1999's studio album Californication. The turn of the century saw the band writing their eighth studio album, By the Way, right on the heels of their 'Californication' world tour. Legendary Rick Rubin produced the album, and it was dubbed their most melodic album to date.

After the album was released on July 2002, the band commenced an 18-month long tour. Preceding that, however, RHCP entered AOL studios in San Bernardino, California on May 16, 2002, to perform four songs for a very intimate audience, and for Web. The first song was their live debut of the albums first single of the same name, "By the Way."

They also played "Don't Forget Me" from the then-unreleased album, along with two song's off Californication. "By the Way" has since become the rock-funk band's fourth most played song live - they've performed it at almost every single show since 2002. As of today, RHCP has released twelve studio albums and continue to rock venues all Around the World.